Findings released today from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) ‘National Drug Strategy Household Survey detailed report: 2013[1]’ suggest that Australians are taking positive steps to moderate their alcohol consumption, according to DrinkWise.

The AIHW survey found that the majority of the population are drinking moderately, with nearly half taking action to reduce their alcohol intake in 2013. This has also played out in the decreasing numbers of individuals drinking daily and drinking at risky levels nationally.

Overall, Australia has seen a decrease in the proportion of daily drinkers; this reduction was most noticeable amongst people in their late 30’s to 50’s.

A lower proportion of Australians aged 14 years or older consumed alcohol in risky quantities in 2013 compared to 2010.

Over 80% of Australians (81.8%) aged 14 years or older drank within the lifetime risk guidelines of no more than two standard drinks per day on average.

In 2013, most people in Australia aged 12 years or older drank at levels that did not place them at risk of harm over their lifetime – they either drank at low risk levels (58%) or abstained (24%).

The number of people in Australia drinking at levels that placed them at lifetime risk of an alcohol-related disease or injury fell by approximately 250,000 people since 2010.

The proportion of people aged 14 or older choosing to abstain from alcohol rose between 2010 and 2013 (from 19.9% to 22%); this was influenced by an increase in young people aged 12 to 17 years abstaining (increasing from 64% to 71%).

The average age at which young people aged 14-24 years first tried alcohol has steadily risen since 1998 from 14.4 years to 15.7 years in 2013.

A substantial number of drinkers (49%) have taken action to reduce their drinking either by the amount of alcohol consumed at one time (30%) or number of drinking occasions (29%).

DrinkWise chief executive John Scott said this new research based on Government statistics showed that targeted interventions such as those provided by DrinkWise since 2005 are having a profound effect on the Australian drinking culture.

“The AIHW’s findings reinforce the importance of educating the community about drinking responsibly, and delivering targeted and tailored approaches to those drinking at risky levels,” Mr Scott said.

“Our research also suggests that in the last three years, more Australians believe having a few drinks with friends remains a great tradition, so long as we don’t overdo it,” Mr Scott said.

“However, we recognise within these new results that there remains a small proportion of Australians drinking at very high levels – particularly young Australians aged 18 to 24 years old and those living in remote or very remote locations – who are less likely to be aware of the number of standard drinks an adult can drink before putting their health at risk.”

DrinkWise will launch the second phase of its How to Drink Properly campaign this week to coincide with Schoolies 2014 and remind school-leavers of the risks of excessive alcohol consumption.

“It is encouraging to see an increasing proportion of young Australians abstaining from alcohol and delaying their first alcoholic drink, and our campaigns such as Kids Absorb your Drinking and the delay message within our Kids and Alcohol Don’t Mix campaign are certainly being seen in these pleasing results,” Mr Scott said.

“It is also a move in the right direction that the proportion of young adults drinking at very high levels is on the decline; however, it is the 18 to 24 year-old age group with the highest proportions drinking at very high levels, so we should not be complacent but instead continue to work with those who have a genuine interest in reducing harm.

“DrinkWise’s targeted education activities should be recognised as part of a collaborative effort between government, industry and the community to create a safer, healthier drinking culture in Australia.”

DrinkWise has also unveiled its new website to coincide with the initiative, providing comprehensive information and advice to promote responsible drinking, including alcohol facts, risk factors, standard drinks calculator and health tools. See www.drinkwise.org.au.

[1] The National Drug Strategy Household Survey is conducted every three years. The 2013 survey collected data from nearly 24,000 people across Australia from 31 July to 1 December 2013.

[3] AustraliaSCAN is an annual longitudinal research study tracking the social values of Australians across a broad range of topics and subjects for more than 15 years. DrinkWise has been a subscriber since 2007, allowing it to place a number of questions within the monitor as a means of tracking broad sentiment Australians have towards the culture of alcohol in society.

DrinkWise will build on the success of its award-winning How to Drink Properly campaign by reminding young Australians around the country to “stay classy” and drink responsibly during Schoolies and the holiday season.

First launched in February, the ground-breaking social marketing program challenges the often harmful drinking culture among many young Australians by reframing moderation as a socially-acceptable behaviour. The campaign targeted 18 to 24 year-olds and challenged them to “stay classy” by moderating the intensity and frequency of their drinking.

The second phase will introduce a series of new animations and promotional materials across television, digital, on-premise and at point of sale in Schoolies hotspots (including Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Lorne, Victor Harbour and Dunsborough) and social media.

DrinkWise will also host ‘All Class’ activations at Melbourne and Sydney Airports prior to Schoolies on the Gold Coast, providing school-leavers with gift packs and tips to “stay classy” on their travels.

DrinkWise chief executive John Scott said the campaign had already shown early positive behavioural shifts among young Australians in relation to responsible alcohol consumption.

“How to Drink Properlyallows DrinkWise and its contributors to work closely and effectively to reinforce moderate drinking behaviour and promote a safer, healthier drinking culture in Australia,” Mr Scott said.

“One-third of 18 to 24 year-olds who experienced the first phase of the campaign reported they subsequently drank less on a night out and 80 per cent considered the benefits of responsible drinking.

“DrinkWise is using a combination of poignant and targeted messaging and practical tips and resources to remind Schoolies visitors to enjoy themselves, but also to be aware of the risks of excessive alcohol consumption.

“This second phase is talking to them at a critical stage of the drinking cycle: before the partying gets into full swing and to arm them with information and incentives to moderate excessive drinking

DrinkWise ambassador Dr Andrew Rochford has added weight to the program with advice for parents and support materials to help parents set realistic expectations for their kids, while ensuring lines of communication remain open, which is available online at www.drinkwise.org.au.

DrinkWise Australia has received international recognition for its ground-breaking ‘How to Drink Properly’ social marketing campaign, claiming a Silver Spike at the 2014 Spikes Asia Awards.

Considered to be Asia-Pacific’s most prestigious awards for creative communications, Spikes Asia recognises the region’s best campaigns as judged by leading global creative professionals.

‘How To Drink Properly’ was awarded for its effective use of social media and public relations activity to promote debate about moderating binge drinking behaviour amongst young adults – speaking both in their language and on their level to ultimately change the way they think about drinking. The campaign generated an aspirational perspective on moderation as a ‘classy’ drinking behaviour. The combination of unique content being seeded amongst youth influencers allowed the campaign to quickly gain the attention of media outlets and stimulated controversial yet credible conversations about moderation.

After just three months, one third of 18-24 year olds who experienced the ‘How to Drink Properly’ campaign said they drank less on a night out. Tracking research also found 81 per cent of young adults were now thinking about the positive effects of moderation, and 54 per cent of young adults indicated the campaign gave them a legitimate platform to talk to their friends about drinking habits.

In a statement, John Scott CEO of DrinkWise said “This first award for the How to Drink Properly campaign shows that the international community recognise the insightful contribution DrinkWise is making in working towards a safer and healthier drinking culture. It continues a great heritage of DrinkWise being recognised for its evidence-based approaches.”

DrinkWise is set to launch the second phase of ‘How to Drink Properly’ in late October.

]]>https://www.drinkwise.org.au/media-releases/media-releases-2014/how-to-drink-properly-campaign-a-winner/feed/0You won’t miss a moment if you DrinkWisehttps://www.drinkwise.org.au/our-work/you-wont-miss-a-moment-if-you-drinkwise/
https://www.drinkwise.org.au/our-work/you-wont-miss-a-moment-if-you-drinkwise/#commentsThu, 04 Sep 2014 05:37:52 +0000https://www.drinkwise.org.au/?p=4869The ‘You won’t miss a moment if you DrinkWise’ initiative continues the DrinkWise approach of affirming the importance of moderation, of drinking properly and of getting the facts about the alcohol consumption.

Having a drink at the cricket, a comedy show or a music festival can be an enjoyable way to socialise with friends and family. And whilst the majority of those who drink alcohol at events do so responsibly, many people can point to times when they’ve overdone it, or have had their experience lessened because of a few too many. The ‘You won’t miss a moment if you DrinkWise’ initiative is about promoting a safer, healthier drinking culture in Australia by keeping the event the focus, not the drinking.

DrinkWise has created the ‘You won’t miss a moment if you DrinkWise’ message in conjunction with its contributors for use at sporting, music and cultural events. This ground breaking initiative will roll out during the 2014 AFL Finals in September and then continue in many major events and festivals leading into the Australian summer. In the coming years, DrinkWise will work with its contributors to promote this message across a broad range of cultural, music and sporting events – from Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival and major capital city events, to local community festivals around the country.

According to AustraliaSCAN™ research almost eight in ten Australians see enjoying a few drinks with mates as a great Australian tradition and additional research commissioned by DrinkWise indicates that almost 8 in 10 agree that it’s okay to have a drink or two at public events. Most Australians however believe it is important to drink responsibly at sporting and cultural events – but over 9 in 10 acknowledge that an event can be ruined if people drink too much.

Keeping the event the focus, not the alcohol.

The ‘You won’t miss a moment if you DrinkWise’ initiative reminds attendees and telecast viewers across a wide range of cultural, music and sporting events that whilst alcohol can play a role in the enjoyment and life of an event, it is important to drink responsibly and in moderation – which ultimately leads to a more enjoyable event experience.

While these messages will provide one way of allowing consumers to consider the benefits of moderation, another key component of this initiative will be encouraging Australians to get the facts about their alcohol consumption and to make positive choices about how they drink. The refreshed DrinkWise website provides a range of information and advice to promote responsible drinking, including an enhanced drink calculator, health tools and advice.

]]>https://www.drinkwise.org.au/our-work/you-wont-miss-a-moment-if-you-drinkwise/feed/0Don’t turn into a foolie this Schoolies.https://www.drinkwise.org.au/under-18s/dont-turn-into-a-foolie-this-schoolies/
https://www.drinkwise.org.au/under-18s/dont-turn-into-a-foolie-this-schoolies/#commentsTue, 02 Sep 2014 15:20:47 +0000https://www.drinkwise.org.au/?p=4259Schoolies. It’s a little word for a big week. It’s the holiday Year 12s all over Australia have been waiting for. But above all, it’s the chance to celebrate the end of school…finally. Hold up. Before you race out there, make sure you’re prepared. Not knowing the risks or what to do in an emergency can turn things ugly, fast.

Whether you’re planning on spending Schoolies on the Gold Coast, in Byron, Lorne, Victor Harbour or Rottnest Island – it’s always good to have a plan. Around alcohol people can change and the risks are high.

So here are a few tips for a fun, safe Schoolies Week:

Let your parents know where you’re staying and who you’re going with.

Contact your parents throughout the week – so they know you’re safe.

Always have your phone on you.

Put your ‘in case of emergency number’ (ICE) in your phone.

In an emergency call 000.

Be extra cautious with drinks. Avoid drinks with high alcohol content and beware of drink spiking – don’t let your drink out of your sight.

Pace you alcohol intake and hydrate with non-alcoholic drinks like water.

Avoid risky situations such as swimming after drinking or getting into arguments and fights.

Don’t drink drive or get into a car with anyone who’s been drinking.

Keep money aside for emergencies.

Register as a school leaver with the local council (or schoolies organisation) in the area you’re visiting.

]]>https://www.drinkwise.org.au/under-18s/dont-turn-into-a-foolie-this-schoolies/feed/0Is your drinking out of control?https://www.drinkwise.org.au/drinking-and-you/is-your-drinking-out-of-control/
https://www.drinkwise.org.au/drinking-and-you/is-your-drinking-out-of-control/#commentsTue, 02 Sep 2014 12:11:39 +0000https://www.drinkwise.org.au/?p=3397Binge drinking is more common, and more dangerous, than you may think.

According to Australian medical experts, binge drinking is consuming too much alcohol on a single occasion.

Binge is often referred to as drinking continuously for a number of days or weeks, occasional or irregular bouts of heavy drinking or drinking deliberately to get drunk.

There are many risks associated with binge drinking including memory loss, injury to yourself or others, dizziness, loss of coordination, diarrhea, vomiting, lack of judgment and even alcohol poisoning – which can be fatal.

]]>https://www.drinkwise.org.au/drinking-and-you/is-your-drinking-out-of-control/feed/0How much have you had to drink?https://www.drinkwise.org.au/drinking-and-you/how-much-have-you-had-to-drink/
https://www.drinkwise.org.au/drinking-and-you/how-much-have-you-had-to-drink/#commentsTue, 02 Sep 2014 11:56:36 +0000https://www.drinkwise.org.au/?p=3392In Australia, a standard drink refers to 10 grams of alcohol (equivalent to 12.5ml of pure alcohol). On average, this is how much the human body can process in one hour.

But even with this as a guide, it can be hard to keep track of how much you’ve had, as different drinks come in different strengths and serving sizes, and can therefore contain more than one standard drink. You also need to consider ‘human’ factors such as your age, weight, gender, mood and tiredness – which can all determine how your body processes alcohol.

Medication can affect the way you process alcohol.

The DrinkWise Standard Drinks Calculator has been designed to give you a quick and simple way to understand what a standard drink is and how many are in your favourite beverage. It’s for educational purposes only, and should not be relied upon to predict blood alcohol level or any other measure.

An informative guide to the Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from alcoholcan be found at www.alcohol.gov.au

]]>https://www.drinkwise.org.au/drinking-and-you/how-much-have-you-had-to-drink/feed/0Watching me, watching you. Is your drinking influencing your kids?https://www.drinkwise.org.au/parents/watching-me-watching-you-is-your-drinking-influencing-your-kids/
https://www.drinkwise.org.au/parents/watching-me-watching-you-is-your-drinking-influencing-your-kids/#commentsTue, 02 Sep 2014 07:14:43 +0000https://www.drinkwise.org.au/?p=3502Positive guidance. It’s one of the greatest powers parents have. And as your child’s number one role model, it’s up to you to shape their perception of right and wrong. So remember, the decisions you make really do have an impact on your children.

How kids attitudes develop, will affect their important decisions in the future. Will they pace themselves or fill-up fast, drink and drive or take a taxi, drink to get drunk or drink sensibly, etc.

As a parent your teen will challenge you about your own drinking behaviours. Teenagers desire to be treated like an adult, which may mean discussing drinking alcohol at home with you, taking alcohol to parties or drinking with their friends.

How to shape your children’s attitudes to alcohol

Lead by example. If you don’t want your child to drink to excess, demonstrate responsible drinking and plan ahead.

Limit the amount you consume. This will reduce your chances of long-term detrimental health and display self-restraint and control.

Don’t glorify alcohol and intoxication (being drunk).

Encourage friends and family to be good role models for your kids.

Avoid people and places that will have a negative impact on your children’s attitude to alcohol.

Don’t drink alcohol every day. Set rules and boundaries.

Encourage non-alcoholic family gatherings. Let your children know that you can enjoy yourself without alcohol. Alcohol should never be the focus of a get together.

Talk to your kids. Explain the importance of drinking moderately and why only adults should consume it. Ask them how they feel about their parents drinking alcohol. What attitudes do they have about alcohol? This will help you reflect on your own drinking behaviours, open up communication with your kids and set boundaries for the future.

Don’t be afraid to answer their questions.

Be honest. Inevitably, your teenager will ask if you’ve been drunk. Be upfront and honest – you want them to be honest with you. Admit that you’ve learnt a lesson and that you expect your kids, friends and yourself to act responsibly.

Use DrinkWise’s DELAY 5-point plan. These simple tips provide parents with advice on how to be a positive influence and decrease the risk of your teen misusing alcohol.

DrinkWise’s DELAY – 5-point plan

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you have problems with alcohol. This will make coping with your teenager’s issues easier.

Resources for you and your teenager

View or download free resources: brochures, posters and fact sheets. You can watch videos of our Ambassadors discussing the issue of teenagers and alcohol.

Teenagers and alcohol – when parents don’t agree

As much as you may want to be your child’s ‘best friend’, it’s more important to be a responsible parent.

When both parents share the same attitudes and act consistently, it can make a real difference to how your kid(s) view alcohol. If a young person gets mixed messages, then it’s harder for them to develop a positive attitude towards alcohol.

Parents must agree on appropriate rules and boundaries for their teenager when it comes to alcohol, plus consequences if they’re broken. Remember that once the rules and boundaries are made that neither party ‘gives in’.

If parents have a different opinion about providing alcohol for teenage drinking; then they need to discuss this openly (without placing the child in the conflict).

Broken relationships can make this situation harder. Some parents may be reluctant to enforce rules, fearing it will make them unpopular with their child.

There are other ways of maintaining a positive relationship other than giving them alcohol. Whatever the reason for the difference in opinion parents might have, it’s important to deal with these issues quickly.

Tips to develop a common view:

Get the facts. Before you address your partner on the alcohol issue, do your research. Set out your argument about damage to bodies, developing brains and that early introduction can be linked to alcohol problems later in life. Supporting your case makes it harder for your partner to argue and increases the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Discuss this separately from the children. Either when they’re in bed or away from the house.

Seek professional help. If you can’t reach an agreement then you could arrange counselling either with your GP, the local Family Relationship Centre or a local qualified counsellor.

Gaining support for your parenting strategies around alcohol

Kids search for the type of adult they want to emulate. So how your family and friends behave with alcohol will be observed by your teen, playing a pivotal role in developing their attitudes and drinking behaviours.

As teenagers get older, they’re more heavily influenced by their peers, the media and what they see on television and in movies. Having positive role models to counteract social pressures is crucial if your teen is to develop a healthy attitude towards alcohol and responsible drinking.

Practical tips to gain other’s support:

Talk to family and friends about how you feel about alcohol. Don’t preach about what they should or shouldn’t do, just make them aware of the messages they may be unconsciously sending to kids about drinking alcohol.

Don’t’ be afraid to voice your disapproval. If a family member of friend continues to behave poorly, ensure your teen hears you disapprove of the behaviour – either by challenging the person directly or talking to your teen afterwards.

If someone has a problem with alcohol, discuss it. Whether they’re a family member or a friend – their behaviour may raise questions and positive discussions. Instead of avoiding the issue, ask your teen what they think about the behaviour and what they would do.

]]>https://www.drinkwise.org.au/parents/watching-me-watching-you-is-your-drinking-influencing-your-kids/feed/0DELAY 5 Point Plan for parentshttps://www.drinkwise.org.au/parents/delay-5-point-plan-for-parents/
https://www.drinkwise.org.au/parents/delay-5-point-plan-for-parents/#commentsTue, 02 Sep 2014 06:12:03 +0000https://www.drinkwise.org.au/?p=3477Talking to kids about alcohol and setting the boundaries and expectations to keep them safe can be a daunting task. DrinkWise has developed a 5 Point Plan to provide practical advice on how to be a positive influence and delay your child’s introduction to alcohol.

DELAY 5 point plan

Research shows that your children believe that you should teach them about alcohol. They trust you and rely on your for information and advice.

Talk to them

Keep the lines of communication open with your kids. Discuss the fact that not everyone drinks. Be aware that young people are likely to have a favourable perception of the social benefits of alcohol – they seek to drink believing it will help them fit in, and need to know that they can fit in without it. Highlight that they won’t be alone if they don’t drink – not everybody’s doing it.

Lead by example

Kids absorb your drinking, so be a positive role model by using alcohol responsibly. Talk to your child about your alcohol consumption and the rules and boundaries you follow. And remember, there’s always the option of not drinking at all.

Parents who drink and have more lenient attitudes towards alcohol are more likely to have adolescents who consume alcohol at risky and high levels.

Try not to make alcohol the focus of every family gathering or celebration. Make a point of having alcohol-free events to demonstrate that you can enjoy yourself without drinking.

Listen and engage

Be aware of and show interest in upcoming activities, and get to know your child’s friends, and their friends’ parents. Talking to the other parents about your views on alcohol enables you to develop a common position and one strong, united voice. If they don’t agree, at least they know your position and will be better placed to respect your decision.

Be comfortable that if you do choose to delay your child’s introduction to alcohol, you’re in the majority.

A good relationship

Work on developing and maintaining a good parent-child relationship based on clear and open communication. Emotional warmth and support, trust, involvement and attachment are associated with lower levels of adolescent alcohol misuse. Be there to support them as hormonal changes, school commitments and peer influence build.

Your expectations

Delaying your child’s first drink requires you to make your expectations regarding alcohol very clear – not just to your child, but to the other adult influencers in their lives as well. Think about you gave you your first drink – have you had a chat to the equivalent person in your child’s life?

Involve your child in the development of the rules to help them understand why they exist in the first place.

]]>https://www.drinkwise.org.au/parents/delay-5-point-plan-for-parents/feed/0Cultural influences of alcohol on young peoplehttps://www.drinkwise.org.au/parents/cultural-influences-of-alcohol-on-young-people/
https://www.drinkwise.org.au/parents/cultural-influences-of-alcohol-on-young-people/#commentsTue, 02 Sep 2014 05:09:58 +0000https://www.drinkwise.org.au/?p=3617The National Centre on Education and Training in Addiction (NCETA) undertook a three-year national research project – examining the cultural factors that influence the drinking behaviours of young Australians.

The first stage of this project resulted in a literature review, published in 2008. The review collated data from a range of literature that address the topic. This comprehensive collection helped determine the scope, type and quality of studies published around this issue.

The follow up to this review, lead to the research phase. This phase involved examining the key issues that emerged from the literature review. A combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to do this.

The results of the Report included an examination of the socio-cultural influences on young people’s drinking. This was drawn from qualitative research gathered from ethnographic observations of leisure events, focus groups with young people and in-depth interviews with both young people and key stakeholders.

The study found that:

Young people would prefer to face the negative consequences of being drunk than the social exclusion associated with staying sober.

Those who choose not to drink have to come up with several reasons why they weren’t drinking.

To fit in, young people expect that all members of the group will drink to the same level of intoxication. However, exclusion is not just applied to those who don’t drink – it is also a potential consequence for those who drink too much.

This analysis provides useful insights to better understand the influences of young people’s drinking in the 14-24 year age range.